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some of which you gave me. Now quick, I am freezing, what is it you want of me?" |
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"Just to say I am sorry to fight against you, my lord, and I hope you will not hold me to blame andand I am most anxious to take service with you" |
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"Robert," Ian said exasperatedly, "do not talk as if you were one instead of twenty-one. How can you be to blame for which side you take in a tourney. This is no grudge fight." |
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The young man's face was partly concealed by his helmet, but it seemed to Ian that his expression changed, possibly was marked with concern at those words. He could do nothing but ignore it. "Just see that you fight as hard as you can against me. I will love you all the better for it. And for God's sake, and mine, do not come to my house tonight. Wait until tomorrow at least. My offer of service will not fly away. Now let us start this battle before I become frozen into my seat. And Robert," he added, his expression softening, "have a care to yourself. I want you whole and undamaged." |
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"You also, my lord. Have a care" He stopped, then leaned closer across the horses. "Have a care especially to your back," he whispered. |
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That was odd, Ian thought, very odd. How could the boy know anything about that second plot. But at that moment the trumpets sounded, and Ian abandoned any thoughts beyond those of immediate action. All along the line, shields were swung forward, swords or other weapons drawn from their resting places. For those men to whom nervous speech was natural, voices were raised in meaningless jests and remarks. The herald came to the center of the field and began to read the formal phrases. |
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" . . . the honorable Lord William, Earl of Arundel, and, for the king, the honorable Lord Ian, Baron de Vipont, have chosen . . ." |
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Ian's eyes wandered to the loges, and a qualm of |
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